Voting and Elections

New Mexicans who are eligible to vote can register to vote or update their voter registration immediately before voting in a statewide election during Early Voting and on Election Day. This is what’s known as “same day voter registration.” 

 Who is eligible for same day voter registration (SDR)?

 Any eligible voter in New Mexico can register to vote or update their voter registration and then vote on the same day at their County Clerk’s office or at any polling location in their county on Election Day and participating Early Voting locations.

Where is SDR available?

SDR is available for eligible voters at their County Clerk’s office or at any polling location in their county on Election Day. Additional Early Voting locations may also provide SDR – it’s best to check with your local county clerk.

What do I need to bring for SDR?

A physical form of identification that is issued by the federal government, a state government, a federally recognized Indian nation, tribe or pueblo or an  educational institution and that:

(1) contains the name of the qualified elector, which shall reasonably match the name provided on the certificate of registration;

(2) contains a photograph of the qualified elector, which shall resemble the qualified elector;

(3) need not contain an expiration date, and if it does, the expiration date is not required to be a date on or after the date of the election; and

(4) shall either:

(a) contain an address that matches the address provided for the certificate of registration; or

(b) be accompanied by an original or copy of a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other document issued by an educational institution or government, including a document issued by a federally recognized Indian nation, tribe or pueblo, dated within the ninety days prior to the qualified elector registering to vote or updating an existing certificate of registration and that contains the name of the qualified elector, which shall reasonably match the name provided on the certificate of registration, and an address that matches the address provided for the certificate of registration.

How does SDR work for decline-to-state (DTS) and minor party voters wishing to vote in the Primary Election?

Decline-to-state voters in New Mexico are registered voters who have chosen not to affiliate with a major political party. Minor party voters are registered with political parties that do not have major party status (currently, only Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians are recognized as major parties in New Mexico).

Only voters who are affiliated with a major party can vote in Primary Elections in New Mexico (General Elections are open to all registered voters).

If you are registered as DTS or with a minor party you can vote in the Primary Election by going to your County Clerk’s office; any participating polling place in your county during Early Voting; or any Election Day polling location in order to update your registration to one of the major parties. You can then vote in the Primary Election for whichever major party you’ve chosen.

Voters who utilize this option and who then wish to revert back to being DTS or registered with a minor party can update their registration online at NMVOTE.ORG after they’ve voted in the Primary Election.

Is SDR available for voters registered with a major party?

Major party voters may update name, address, or other contact info during SDR.  However, if you are currently registered with a major political party you cannot use SDR to switch parties during the Primary Election.

Can I use SDR for absentee (vote by mail) voting? 

No. SDR is only available for voters voting in person, on the same day, at the same time they register to vote or update their voter registration at an in-person (Early or Election Day) polling location.